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blog

Jul 20
1

California, Here I Come…again.

By | Baby Jade, Blog | No Comments

 

Lily’s on her way and I’m following suit. As I pack the last of my things and bid the twin cities farewell, I reflect on the last 22 months. I’ve never come to terms with the fact that I left LA in the first place (bad planning on my part). But revisiting this chapter has made me aware of a few things:

1. (I start with a cliche) Things happen for a reason. The growth and revelations I’ve had have only been made possible because of my return to MN.

2. My family has always been my core.

2a. That being said, my family goes beyond blood ties. I have the very best family a person could ask for. That we aren’t all blood related, makes the relationship that much more.

3. Having a vision is key to making changes. The execution is what unlocks the dream and creates the reality.

4. I’m returning changed. The type of change that is required for Los Angeles.

5. Creativity is powerful. Nowadays, you can literally create your profession instead of waiting on others to create it for you.

Goodbye, Minneapolis. Watch over the loved ones I’ve left in your care. LA, your prodigal daughter returns. Not to mention, Los Angeles has one kick-ass night view. *sigh* I’m home. To be continued….

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page:https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

Let’s connect on social media, I’d love to hear from you:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlehemawate
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Snapchat: betu_la

Xo, B

Sep 15
1

NYC: Be the Backdrop of My Life Any Day

By | Baby Jade, Blog, Uncategorized | No Comments

From the moment I touched down in NYC I felt something stirring inside me. My spirit was awakening. I thought, if a city can do THIS, what else could I possibly experience in the next 4 days? I was not disappointed. In a trip that mixed business with pleasure, I landed ready to explore. I knew I was only there for a short period of time, and did not want any wasted opportunities. I stayed on the Upper East Side with an old friend of mine. Once I dropped my luggage, I was off! The first things no one tells you about NYC, is that there is soul in that city. And it was everywhere! On the subway you’ll see business men who work in the financial district sitting next to an older lady making a grocery run with her granddaughter. You get a show from artists who use the train system as their stage. While I was taken aback by the performance, everyone else looked on or looked away, completely un-phased by what was going on.
I admit, I went in slightly afraid of the “rude” behavior I was sure to encounter, only I didn’t encounter any. At all. Mind you, know one goes out of their way to welcome you to the big city, they’re all much to busy. but when I had a question, I encountered only people who wanted to help. One lady took it upon herself to be my guardian angel and made sure I got off on the right stop.
As much as I thought Los Angeles was a melting pot, it pales in comparison to NYC. All walks of life don’t just have the subway system in common, they have the local pizzeria, the Starbucks in the corner, the nail salon 2 blocks down, the rooftop bar across a lit up Empire State Building…the list goes on.
I’d start each morning just ogling the inhabitants of the most vibrant city I’ve ever been in. The way they interacted, the way they maneuvered. In LA, a sign that you aren’t interested in the company of others is to have head phones in and your head lowered. In NYC, it just is assumed that no one wants to be bothered. Not in an attempt to be crass it’s just an understanding the citizens of NYC have among each other. As someone who is never without her iPod, I found myself not wanting a reason to miss ANYTHING happening around me and left them in the apartment as I wandered the city.
If the men of NYC aren’t reason of enough to go back to NYC, then the lasting impressions this city full of life, is.
I want to take this time to thank the city of New York, for rekindling the fire in my soul and reminding me that if I’m not enjoying life as I’m living it then I can, and must, change it.

I was able to take some footage of my time in NYC. You can view that vlog here: https://youtu.be/8k0U3WgchJU

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

Let’s connect on social media, I’d love to hear from you:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlehemawate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehemawate
Snapchat: betu_la

Xo, B

Sep 11
0

Namaste

By | Baby Jade, Blog, Uncategorized | No Comments

What I’m starting to realize about life is, we get from it that which we give.
In my line of work, I stay up late and wake up early (for the most part). When I do wake, the first thing I do is check my phone/email for assignments and deadlines. Many times, not eating or drinking anything til I’ve set my days’ itinerary. It’s a fast paced career.
And it’s becoming to wear on me. I’m sluggish, tired, ornery, and without peace. I see it in the way I lead my day-to-day life and it’s not one of happiness but rather duty.
Does it mean I hate my job? No. But it does mean I’m making it a possibility. Not really sure what the antidote for this particular problem is.
Or at least I thought I didn’t………..’til yesterday.
Yesterday I chose to start my day in peace. Before I looked at my phone, or checked my computer I took a moment for myself. I cleared my head and thought on what it was I wanted to accomplish for the day, and where it was I needed help. I simply prayed. (If you prefer meditate, that works as well,) It’s all a matter of taking time for yourself. To calm yourself before you start your day.
I coupled that with a warm cup of lemon water and off I went.
I gotta say, it was one of the most productive days I’ve had, in which, when I finished I wasn’t cranky or ready for a nap, but rather ready to do more in my day.
And so this is my tbt to better days.
We forget how important it is to start our day preparing ourself for the day.
My challenge to you. Namaste

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

Let’s connect on social media, I’d love to hear from you:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlehemawate
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Snapchat: betu_la

Xo, B

Jul 28
0

Where Are We Now?

By | Baby Jade, Uncategorized | No Comments

This weeks blog is a flashback to my 24 year old self. It was January 2009 and Obama had just been inaugurated, and I was on cloud 9:

“From slavery to abolishment, from sitting in the rear of the bus, lynchings, beatings, fire hose, colored vs. white, sit-ins, pickets, marches and not being able to vote or count as human beings, to civil rights. From segregation, to integration. From Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X to Rev. Jesse Jackson, one thing carried them through all the pain: HOPE! From fear to strength. HOPE! Hope begot drive, drive begot strategy, and strategy begot results. HOPE!
Results lead us to a man, a man who rose above all expectation of him with pride, faith, dignity, drive, and confidence. His was a message of unity and togetherness to get us through the tough times, and an urgent craving to live as one race and to embrace our differences. Barack Obama has done the inevitable; he’s done something many thought they’d never see in their lifetime. He became the 44th, first African-American President. President Obama has a long journey ahead of him, but he believes we can make the difference, all of us, not just for the present time but for the future. What he asks of you? To unify and embrace one another and help those we can; to coexist with each other and to bear our fellow mans heartaches and joys as if they were our own.
There’s hope now. Hope for my brother Samuel, for Noh, for Alem, for Lulia, for Henok, for Naomi and for all children regardless of their color/creed/faith. A hope that was once only dreamed has become a reality. January 20, 2009 marks a day where dreams and aspirations are encouraged and doubt is nowhere in sight. On this day, as an African-American woman, I feel invincible.
We have overcome.”

As I sit here and re-read this idea of my 24 year old self I ponder the past 5 years and wonder if that HOPE is still alive. Have there been any changes? You decide. And if the answer is no, do something about it. Don’t remain silent.

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

Let’s connect on social media, I’d love to hear from you:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlehemawate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehemawate
Snapchat: betu_la

Xo, B

Jul 03
0

Wonder As I Wander

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“The Kunama are a nomadic people” Well no wonder I can’t sit still in one place.
For as long as I can remember, I have always sought adventure. Whether through fantasy or making an actual move, it’s always been the thing I’ve craved. Until very recently. I’ve found that life has become rather stale and stagnant. It’s no one’s fault other than my own. I’ve found a comfort in LA and have stayed in that comfort. But, alas, fate always has different plans and when you veer too far off course, it has a way of bringing you back. On my recent annual trip to MN I was given the opportunity to go to the UK next year! The friggin’ United Kingdom!! Yes, please! England to be more precise but still! I went through every emotion you can imagine. Excitement, fear of the unknown, excitement, anxiety, excitement…..you get the idea. No matter what negative feeling came over me, it was followed by in insurmountable feeling of excitement! That’s how I knew that was fate giving me a second chance. What many don’t know, is that before moving to Los Angeles, I was actually going to backpack through Europe. When advised against it, I took the LA route. I think I’m all the better for having lived in LA for the past 6 years but I also feel that my journey here has come to its end and it’s now time for me to seek journey elsewhere. It’ll be tough leaving LA, I’m sure a very sappy and lengthy blog will surface days before I leave but for now the only thing in my line of vision is taking life by the horns and making it the best I can! So cheers to eating life!

Aladdin knew what’s up: ♪ All you gotta do is juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuump! ♪

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

Let’s connect on social media, I’d love to hear from you:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlehemawate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehemawate
Snapchat: betu_la

Xo, B